Plumbing systems can present maintenance and engineering managers with a host of problems, from leaks and water waste to clogs and other issues related to a reliable, effective flow of water through the system. Compounding these problems for a number of institutional and commercial facilities is the potential threat plumbing and piping systems can present to building occupants and visitors.
Detroit Public Schools Community District recently decided to shut off drinking water at all of its 106 schools after testing found 16 out of 24 schools had elevated levels of lead or copper, says the district’s superintendent, Nikolai Vitti, in an email, according to Crain’s Detroit.
The district turned off drinking water at the 16 schools, bringing the total number of schools using water coolers and bottles to 34. The rest will be shut off immediately," says Chrystal Wilson, the district’s spokeswoman.
The Associated Press reported in 2016 that elevated copper or lead levels had been found at 19 district schools. After those results, the district coated some pipes with a silicate to prevent leeching of metal and bacteria, according to Chalkbeat Detroit. The 2016 testing came as a response to the Flint water crisis, in which more than 100,000 residents were exposed to lead-tainted water.
The largest school district in Michigan faces water safety concerns as it also deals with deteriorating school buildings that require nearly $530 million in capital improvements.
This Quick Read was submitted by Ryan Berlin, managing editor of Facility Maintenance Decisions.
